Traders to Trust
Tradesmen
A tradesman is a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft. Economically and socially, a tradesman's status is considered between a laborer and a professional, with a high degree of both practical and theoretical knowledge of their trade. In cultures where professional careers are highly prized there can be a shortage of skilled manual workers, leading to lucrative niche markets in the trades.
The training of a trade in European cultures has been a formal tradition for many centuries. A tradesman typically begins as an apprentice, working for and learning from a Master, and after a number of years is released from his master's service as a Journeyman. After a Journeyman has proven himself to his trade's guild (most guilds are now known by different names), he may settle down as a Master and work for himself, eventually taking on his own apprentices.
Since the 20th Century, this process has been changed in many ways. A tradesman still begins as an apprentice, but the apprenticeship is carried out partly through working for a tradesman and partly through an accredited trade school for a definite period of time (usually around 4 years), after which he/she is fully qualified. Starting one's own business is purely a financial matter, rather than being dependent on status. Few trades still make a distinction between a qualified tradesman and a master.
Builders
Construction workers are employed in the construction industry and work predominantly on construction sites and are typically engaged in aspects of the industry other than design or finance. The term includes general construction workers, also referred to as labourers and members of specialist trades such electricians, carpenters and plumbers.
Buildings come in a wide amount of shapes and functions, and have been adapted throughout history for a wide number of factors, from building materials available, to weather conditions, to land prices, ground conditions, specific uses and aesthetic reasons.
Buildings serve several needs of society - primarily as shelter from weather and as general living space, to provide privacy, to store belongings and to comfortably live and work. A building as a shelter represents a physical division of the human habitat (a place of comfort and safety) and the outside (a place that at times may be harsh and harmful).
Ever since the first cave paintings, buildings have also become objects or canvasess of artistic expression. In recent years, interest in sustainable planning and building practices has also become part of the design process of many new buildings.
Plumbers
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, sewage, and drainage.
Years of training and/or experience are needed to become a skilled plumber; some jurisdictions also require that plumbers be licensed. A Master Plumber has demonstrated mastery of the trade of plumbing. The Master Plumber may have worked in a single area of the trade or may have experience in multiple areas of the plumbing trade.
Plumbing codes are strict, and need for quality plumbing work is high because of the health and safety problems associated with poor water supply and sewage removal.
Plumbers in the United Kingdom undertake the installation of domestic internal hot and cold water pipe work, sanitary fittings and related waste pipe work systems. Domestic, commercial and industrial gas-fired (central) heating installation, servicing and repair works, and works related to all other gas fired appliances, although done by plumbers, may also involve other trades such as pipe fitters, gas fitters etc.
Oil fired heating appliance installation, servicing and maintenance works must be undertaken by OFTEC registered individuals and companies in order to operate in the UK.
Air conditioning is a separate trade in the UK.
Plumbers install and repair pipes, fittings, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution, waste water disposal, and venting in residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings. Many plumbers begin their careers in plumbing as helpers to established plumbers; others enter formal training institutes.